How to Remove Paint With Power Tools

Put on the work gloves to protect your hands from the heat. Hold the heat gun at a 45-degree angle, 1 to 2 inches from the surface of the paint, according to the manufacturer's directions for your heat gun. Work in small sections of about 6 inches at a time and move the heat gun slowly, but keep it moving constantly to prevent scorching the wood. Have the scraper in your hand, because the paint will begin to bubble up within seconds. As soon as the paint starts to bubble up, scrape it from the surface. Wipe the paint from the scraper with paper towels or old washcloths. In her book, "The Complete Tightwad Gazette," Amy Dacyczyn says she uses a sharpened spoon and a razor blade to remove all kinds of finishes from furniture and wood trim in her home. The rounded bowl of the spoon gets into tight places and doesn't gouge wood like a squared-off scraper might.

Continue heating the paint that is on the furniture, scraping off the bubbled paint, and wiping the old paint from the scraper until you've gone over the entire piece of furniture.

Wipe the piece of furniture with a paper towel or old washcloth to remove any paint that is loose but didn't come off onto the scraper. You may be able to grasp some pieces with your fingers and pull away some paint from the piece of furniture, but don't worry about scratching it off with your fingernails.

Scrub the surface of the piece of furniture with steel wool, going with the grain of the wood. Wipe the wood with a damp cloth and allow it to dry.